Clarifications

CCS can confirm if the Supplier submission is still in the Responding stage, to update CPV codes the Supplier would have to 'Respond' and go back to the beginning of the SQ and add the CPV codes.

CCS can confirm that the Supplier would need to go through the DPS marketplace and re-use the SQ they would like to use for their DPS submission.

The reference you have stated relates to Q151 in the SQ. This question is N/A as detailed in the DPS Needs document which forms part of the bid pack in the RM6018 marketplace.

The reference you have stated relates to Q150 in the SQ. This question is N/A as detailed in the DPS Needs document which forms part of the bid pack in the RM6018 marketplace.

Suppliers should list all known sub-contractors as defined in DPS Schedule 1 of the DPS Agreement which forms part of the RM6018 bid pack, which states 'any person engaged by the supplier to provide to the supplier any part of the services or any services necessary for the provision of the Services. The sub-contractors listed as part of the supplier SQ (where applicable) will for part of the suppliers 'Letter of Appointment' as detailed in DPS Schedule 4 (Letter of Appointment and Contract Terms), if awarded a contract under the DPS. CCS does not require all sub-contractors to be disclosed. You need only disclose those sub-contractors who directly contribute to your ability to meet your obligations under the DPS Agreement (including under any Contract), regardless of size as there is no minimum size of sub-contractor. Furthmore, there is no requirement to specify sub-contractors supplying general services to you (such as window cleaners etc.) that only indirectly enable you to perform the DPS Agreement. Suppliers are able to use different sub-contractors during the lifetime of their DPS Agreement, however any changes to sub contracting arrangements are subject to the obligations under clause 13 ( THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: Assignment and Sub-Contracting) of the Contract Terms which form part of the RM6018 bid pack.

CCS can confirm that selecting 'No' to not applicable questions as detailed in the DPS Needs document, is permissible.

CCS can confirm that question no 128 of the standard selection questionnaire asks the supplier to tick which from the three items listed they can provide. In the event that the supplier is unable to provide audited accounts at question 127 if they fail to meet the financial threshold of 51, question 128 enables CCS to determine what additional financial information the supplier can provide.

The two contract submitted by the supplier wont be formally evaluated, however they will support suppliers 'Letter of Confirmation of Works' and the suppliers previous experience, demonstrating technical capability and capacity in delivering a research project. Customers may also request for suppliers to provide further evidence at call for competition stage in relation to the contract examples provided within RM6018 Selection Questionnaire.

In accordance with clause 7.55 - 7.57 of the DPS Agreement, suppliers are required to have in place cyber essentials basic certification by the award of their first contract under the DPS Agreement. Please refer to the link below for further information re obtgaining cyber essentials certification: https://www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov.uk/getting-certified/ Customers will request copies of suppliers certificates prior to award of a contract under the DPS and in accordance with the obligations as set out in the DPS Agreement. If a supplier fails to provide the required certification, this may be deemed as a breach of contract and may result in a contract not being awarded.

As detailed in the DPS Needs document, suppliers are required to upload Attachment 1a and Attachment 1b - Letter of Confirmation of Works as part of their SQ submission. In the event that suppliers are unable to provide the required attachments as part of their submission, suppliers status will remain in assessing for a maximum of 15 working days as detailed in the DPS Needs document whilst they endeavor to obtain the required information. However, in the event that Attachment 1a and 1b are not submitted until after 15 working days, suppliers will be rejected from the DPS as an interim measure until the required attachments are provided.

The Selection Questionnaire requires a DUNS number for every subcontractor details provided by a Supplier, the query raised is around a Sole Trader holding a DUNS number. CCS confirm Sole Traders are allowed to hold DUNS numbers, however Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) do not have a public source that they can use to obtain this information from to automatically generate a DUNS number. As a result of this, D&B have created the DUNS number application tool via the website : https://www.dnb.co.uk/duns-number/lookup/request-a-duns-number.html Sole Traders fill in this report with details of their entity; this request is then sent over to the D&B DUNS creation team to generate their individual DUNS numbers.

Contract examples can be from the same organisation but must be two completely separate contracts.

CCS can confirm a stand-alone SQ submission has been complete and you are required to log back into SRS and complete the SQ that is in the 'Responding' stage.

CCS confirm that suppliers can request to participate for the RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS at any point as detailed in the DPS Needs document of the RM6018 bid pack. The opportunity remains open at all times unless the DPS expires or is terminated in accordance with the DPS Agreement.

Question 147 - 150 are not applicable to RM6018 Research Marketplace DPS, as detailed in the DPS Needs document at point 36 - Selection Questionnaire - Not Applicable questions.

With effect from 16/02/18, customers will have access to the DPS to use to conduct call for competitions based on their individual project requirements.

Where specifying sub-contractors, the percentage requirement for contractual obligations is an approximate figure only for suppliers known sub-contractors. Suppliers need only disclose those sub-contractors who directly contribute to their ability to meet the obligations under the DPS Agreement (including under any Contract), regardless of size as there is no minimum size of sub-contractor. Furthermore, there is no requirement to specify sub-contractors supplying general services to you (such as window cleaners etc.) that only indirectly enable you to perform the DPS Agreement.

CCS can confirm the minimum financial threshold credit score is 51 or above, as detailed in the DPS Need document at point 24.

The two contract examples requested as part of the RM6018 Research Marketplace are the only questions within the Selection Questionnaire requesting a summary of two contracts, demonstrating suppliers technical capability and capacity to deliver a research project(s).

The Letter of Confirmation of Works for contract example 1 and contract example 2 is requested at Question 1e of the Dynamic Purchasing System questionnaire which forms part of the complete RM6018 Research Marketplace Selection Questionnaire.